The Lake

The Lake (Bonaire South)

Welcome to The Lake, a captivating shore dive site in southern Bonaire that offers a unique underwater landscape and a diverse array of marine life. Named for its distinctive "lake of sand"—a broad, pale channel nestled between two vibrant reef ridges—this dive site provides an unforgettable experience for divers of varying skill levels.

Dive Overview

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Depth: Divers will explore depths ranging from approximately 5 m to a maximum depth of 30 m. The sandy channel itself typically sits around 21 m.
• Current: We generally find mild currents at this dive site, making for a relaxed exploration.
• Water Temperature: Expect comfortable water temperatures, usually between 26°C and 29°C year-round.
• Certification Required: An Open Water Diver certification is sufficient for exploring the first reef. However, we recommend an Advanced Open Water Diver certification if you plan to cross the sand channel to the deeper second reef.
• Site Types: This dive site features both stunning reef formations and convenient shore access.

Exploring The Lake

After an easy entry into usually calm waters, divers embark on a gentle swim out to the reef. You have the choice to enjoy a relaxed, shallow drift along the first reef, which boasts fine hard and soft corals. Alternatively, for those seeking a deeper adventure, we can navigate across the expansive "sand lake" to reach a second reef. This second reef presents a distinctly different topography, often characterized by a rich abundance of sponges.

The sandy channel itself is a spectacle, often carpeted along its edges by colonies of Brown Garden Eels. As we explore the coral formations, divers will find vibrant Rock Beauties, charming Smooth Trunkfish, and elegant Queen Angelfish. Keep your eyes peeled for larger pelagics like Spotted Eagle Rays and Southern Stingrays gracefully gliding over the outer ridge and sandy areas.

Marine Life Encounters

The Lake is teeming with diverse marine life. During your dive, you can encounter:

• Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
• Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
• Spotted Moray Eel (Gymnothorax moringa)
• Southern Stingray (Hypanus americanus)
• Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)
• Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
• Brown Garden Eel (Heteroconger longissimus)
• Honeycomb Cowfish (Acanthostracion polygonius)
• Rock Beauty (Holacanthus tricolor)
• Smooth Trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter)

Beyond these, divers often spot other fascinating creatures such as Hawksbill turtles, various parrotfish, snappers, grunts, black margates, and even Caribbean reef squid.

Important Considerations

While generally a calm dive site, divers should be aware of potential hazards including boat traffic and the presence of dangerous marine life. The access track to the entry can sometimes be rough or rocky, and surge may occur with southerly winds. We always recommend using a surface buoy, especially when crossing the sand channel, to enhance visibility to any surface traffic.

The Lake offers a quieter alternative to some of Bonaire's more famous dive sites, providing a serene and richly rewarding underwater experience.